QUEZON City, Philippines — Last July
24, the Philippine government, through the National Historical Commission of
the Philippines (NHCP) installed a “national historical marker” inside the Iglesia
Ni Cristo Central Office grounds along Commonwealth Avenue in Diliman,
Quezon City, three days before the Grand Centennial Celebration of the Church
on July 27.

With the historical marker
installed inside the INC Central Office, the site has now become part of
“historical ground” recognized by the Philippine government which mandates its
preservation. The historical marker is proof that the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church
of Christ) is of “national historical significance” said NHCP research director
Alvin Alcid.

INC Executive Minister Eduardo V.
Manalo and NHCP executive director Ludovico Badoy unveiled the marker that
served as the government’s official recognition of the church’s contribution to
national history and nation building.

NHCP director Badoy said the
“history of the Philippines would never be complete without mentioning the
Iglesia Ni Cristo”, which was registered in the country on July 27, 1914,
simultaneous with the start of the first World War, a time period considered
very significant in the INC doctrinal teachings.

In his speech, the NHCP chief
even likened how the INC had survived intense persecutions and criticisms at
its start, to the biblical story of the young “David” who had faced a
formidable foe, “Goliath.”

Badoy said the INC was able to do
seemingly “impossible things” because of the members’ strong faith in
God. He mentioned as examples the construction of the Philippine
Arena, considered as the world’s largest indoor arena, and the various
distinctive houses and buildings of worship of the INC all over the country and
even abroad.

“Sino po ang makapagsasabi na ang
Piipinas ay nagkapalad na magkaroon ng pinalakamalaking arena sa buong mundo
dahil sa glesia Ni Cristo?’ (Who could
say that the Philippines will get fortunate to have the largest arena in the
whole world because of the Iglesia Ni Cristo) said Badoy of the imposing
Philippine Arena which is designed to withstand strong earthquakes and
typhoons.

Badoy also said the Philippine
Arena as well as the various “palatial” buildings of worship of the INC
symbolized the hardiness and strength of the INC and its members whose faith
could not be knocked down by the intense “storms” that they encounter.

He said that the victories of the
INC showed that being a minority is not an excuse to achieve great goals,
especially if the “intentions are good,” as he cited the immediate help
extended by the church to victims of calamities and strong typhoons like
“Yolanda” (international name Haiyan) last November.

In his speech, the INC’s
executive minister, Brother Manalo thanked the Philippine government for
recognizing the INC’s contributions to society.

The INC leader also thanked
President Aquino for issuing Proclamation No. 815 declaring this year 2014 as
the “Iglesia Ni Cristo Centennial Year.”

He laso said that today, not only
INC members give importance to the church and its contribution to society but,
non-members as well, as indicated by various greetings on the INC centennial
being brought to his attention.

Hiwever Brother Manalo stress
that the string of victories of the INC happened because it was God’s will. Citing
Jeremiah 9:23-24, the Executive Minister said the INC is giving back to the
Lord God all the honor and glory through its works that God had allowed to
happen.

“Thus
says the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty
man glory in his might, and let not the rich man glory in his riches; But let
him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows me, that I
am the Lord who executes loving kindness, justice and righteousness in the
earth; for in these things I delight, says the Lord.”

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